Kuala Lumpur players pose with the trophy after winning the National Under-16 title at the Seremban II Stadium in Negri Sembilan yesterday. — Pic: OWEE AH CHUN KUALA Lumpur defended their National Under-16 title with a late surge when they beat Perak 3-1 at the Seremban II Stadium in Negri Sembilan yesterday.
Nor Aqmal Ghaffar then delivered a penalty corner goal in the 57th minute.
Perak made a concerted effort, and narrowed the margin off Saiful Manan in the 60th minute, but the fight-back was doused in the 66th minute when Nor Aqmal scored another penalty corner goal.
KL skipper Taufik Hamid was sent to the sin-bin after that goal, but the city boys held on for the remainder of the match.
In the third-fourth playoff, Penang beat Terengganu 4-1 with goals from Redhwan Jaafar (seventh), Ashraf Bahari (26th), Hafify Rodzi (28th) and Azwar Rahim (40th).
The Terengganu consolation was scored by Firdaus Shuib in the 60th minute.
"Perak made it very difficult for us for 50 minutes, before Iqwan gave us a break when he connected home a cross.
"That was the turning point, and my boys kept up the pressure and sound team-work won the day," said Kuala Lumpur coach I. Vickneswaran.
RESULTS -- Final: Kuala Lumpur 3 Perak 1; Third-Fourth: Penang 4 Terengganu 1.
ROLL-OF-HONOUR -- Top scorer: Nor Aqmal Ghaffar (KL, 10 goals); Best Goalkeeper: Hazrul Faiz (Terengganu); Best Player: Shazril Irwan Nazli (Perak); Best Player In Final: Nor Aqmal Ghaffar (KL).
